The EPIC DRAGON being put through the paces within NASA in preparation for the ISSPhoto Credit: NASA
UPDATE: The EPIC DRAGON began its journey to the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:47AM ET on Saturday, January 10th. Aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the camera successfully arrived this morning at 8:56AM ET along with necessary supply items and various experiments.
RED Digital Cinema is pleased to announce it has entered a Space Act Agreement with NASA. A NASA Space Act Agreement is the primary vehicle for NASA to partner with third-parties that allows them to have access to wider range of technologies than is currently available within NASA.
The mutual interest between RED and NASA first began shortly after RED began shipping its first camera, the 4K RED ONE, back in 2007. Since that time, RED has participated with NASA capturing a variety of rocket and shuttle launches in 4K and above.
But now, the relationship is entering a whole new stratosphere. Literally.
After months of being subjected to some of the world's strictest testing and qualification standards, the RED EPIC with the RED DRAGON 6K sensor will be loaded onto a space cargo vehicle and travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2014 or early 2015. While at the ISS, astronauts will be using the EPIC DRAGON to capture critical footage.
"Since day one, RED has always pushed the boundaries at every level of our company. Our cameras have been to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, to the top of frigid Mount Everest all the way to the Marum volcano. But going to outer space takes things to a whole new level," says Jarred Land, President of RED Digital Cinema. "We are incredibly honored that NASA has chosen RED to be part of its mission on the International Space Station."